Was local casting call for 'Hunger Games'?

Casting crews for the upcoming motion picture "Artemis" called on extras in the Concord area last weekend.

Extras Casting Coordinator Tona Dahlquist was looking for more than 1,000 extras to participate during the filming, and the positions will be paid.

The Concord casting call was held at the Carolina Mall on Sunday from 12:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Some say "Artemis" is based on Suzanne Collins' New York Times bestselling young-adult novel, "Hunger Games," but no one in the Charlotte area is officially confirming the connection. Sources from Los Angeles to Asheville, however, are speculating that "Artemis" is the code name for "Hunger Games."

Sign Up and Save

All ages and types were encouraged to attend the Concord casting call, but there was a particular need for people ages 12-18 and adults with interesting character facial features.

"We need all types and all ages, just as you would find in any town," Dahlquist said. "We are seeking everyone and every type, short or tall, young and old, the person next door or down the street, the hard working guy or gal, as well as those that appear as they live the easy life."

Depending on the scenes being filmed, some selected extras will begin to hear back from casting coordinators right away, while others may not hear back for months, Dahlquist said.

"Most selected will need to be fitted in wardrobe, and males given a haircut," Dahlquist said. "Because of such, there will be some advanced notice given to those selected."

"The film industry is a half-of-a-billion-dollar industry in the Charlotte region," said Gina Howard, director of communications and public relations at the Charlotte Regional Partnership, a regional nonprofit that promotes growth in the Charlotte area. "Charlotte is a very vibrant film community."

"Artemis" is a feature film that will be directed by Gary Ross ("Seabiscuit," "Pleasantville"), produced by Nina Jacobson ("Diary of A Wimpy Kid" 1 and 2) and Jon Kilik ("Babel," "He Got Game"), Dahlquist said.

Filming for the dystopic future-themed motion picture is scheduled to take place in various parts of North Carolina from May through August, Dahlquist said.

While official sources and casting directors declined to comment on the film's plot and cast, websites like www.IMDB.com outline the plot and actors.

The storyline captures the fall of North America in the near future after famine, war, drought and fire ravage the land. The continent is to be replaced by Panem, a country divided into 12 districts and a capitol, according to IMDB.

The plot progresses as two young representatives from each district are chosen by lottery to participate in the Hunger Games. Participants in the televised games are forced to eliminate their competitors with the rest of the country looking on.

The lead character, Katniss, learns that her sister has been chosen in the lottery to engage in the games, so she volunteers to take her sister's place. The story then follows Katniss and her male counterpart, Peeta, as they prepare to face off against individuals who have been training their whole lives, according to the website.

Actress Jennifer Lawrence has reportedly been cast in the lead role of Katniss. Actor Josh Hutcherson will play Peeta Mellark and Liam Hemsworth will fill the role of Gale Hawthorne in the motion picture, according to the movie database website.

The website also lists the release date of "Artemis" as March 23, 2012.